Shotline Diving

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Ira H. Owen US 100410

Explore the wreck of the Ira H. Owen, a steel-hulled freighter lost in the 1905 Mataafa Storm, with all crew members perishing.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Ira H. Owen
  • Type: Steel-hulled steam screw bulk freighter
  • Year Built: 1887
  • Builder: Globe Iron Works Company
  • Dimensions: 278 ft 3 in (84.8 m) length; beam 39 ft (11.9 m); depth of hold 19 ft (5.8 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,753 gross; 1,498 net tons
  • Location: Likely northwest of Outer Island, Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
  • Official Number: US 100410

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

One of the earliest steel freighters on the Great Lakes, the Ira H. Owen was a high-capacity cargo ship designed for grain, coal, and iron ore transport. Her steel construction, compound steam engine, and sizable hull reflected technological advances of late 19th-century bulk carriers.

Description

The Ira H. Owen was a steel-hulled steam screw bulk freighter built in 1887. It had a length of 278 ft 3 in (84.8 m), a beam of 39 ft (11.9 m), and a depth of hold of 19 ft (5.8 m). The vessel was powered by a compound steam engine with a horsepower of 750, utilizing two Scotch boilers.

History

For 18 years starting in 1887, Ira H. Owen hauled iron ore from Escanaba, coal, grain, and other bulk commodities across the upper lakes. She experienced multiple groundings and collisions over her career, including:

  • 1897 grounding and collisions in fog (Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, St. Marys River).
  • 1903 boiler-room fire off Manitowoc, successfully beached and extinguished; repaired and returned to service.
  • 1904 collision in St. Marys River; beached after hull damage.

Significant Incidents

  • All 19 crew lost—none survived during the sinking.

Final Disposition

The ship sailed from Duluth on November 28, 1905, in ballast for Buffalo during the intense Mataafa Storm—a major Great Lakes gale with 80–90 mph winds and heavy snow. She was last seen by the freighter Harold B. Nye, blowing distress signals near Outer Island. Wreckage (cabin fragments, life jackets) was found December 1, 12 miles east of Michigan Island, confirming the total loss with no survivors.

The wreck was abandoned to underwriters; the enrollment was surrendered December 23, 1905, in Milwaukee.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No identifiable wreck site or coordinates; likely lies in deep, uncharted water near Outer Island. The wreck is presumed intact but undiscovered; no dive or survey operations known.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”ira-h-owen-us-100410″ title=”References & Links”]

The Ira H. Owen exemplifies the first generation of steel-hulled freighters—a shift from wooden sailing craft. Her loss during the powerful 1905 Mataafa Storm underscores the dangers even advanced vessels faced. One of only a few deep-water, massive-loss wrecks from this storm, her resting place remains a poignant reminder of Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Ira H. Owen (SS) — Steel Lake Freighter (Built 1887 – Lost November 28, 1905)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Vessel Type Description

One of the earliest steel freighters on the Great Lakes, the Ira H. Owen was a high-capacity cargo ship designed for grain, coal, and iron ore transport. Her steel construction, compound steam engine, and sizable hull reflected technological advances of late 19th-century bulk carriers (en.wikipedia.org).

History & Service

For 18 years starting in 1887, Ira H. Owen hauled iron ore from Escanaba, coal, grain, and other bulk commodities across the upper lakes. She experienced multiple groundings and collisions over her career, including:

  • 1897 grounding and collisions in fog (Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, St. Marys River) (en.wikipedia.org)
  • 1903 boiler-room fire off Manitowoc, successfully beached and extinguished; repaired and returned to service (en.wikipedia.org)
  • 1904 collision in St. Marys River; beached after hull damage

Final Disposition

The ship sailed from Duluth on November 28, 1905, in ballast for Buffalo during the intense Mataafa Storm—a major Great Lakes gale with 80–90 mph winds and heavy snow (en.wikipedia.org). She was last seen by the freighter Harold B. Nye, blowing distress signals near Outer Island (en.wikipedia.org). Wreckage (cabin fragments, life jackets) was found December 1, 12 miles east of Michigan Island, confirming the total loss with no survivors .

The wreck was abandoned to underwriters; the enrollment was surrendered December 23, 1905, in Milwaukee (us-data.org).

Located By & Site Status

  • No identifiable wreck site or coordinates; likely lies in deep, uncharted water near Outer Island.
  • Wreck presumed intact but undiscovered; no dive or survey operations known (greatlakesvesselhistory.com).

Notmars & Advisories

  • No official navigation warnings at the time specific to this vessel.
  • The Mataafa Storm prompted large-scale marine advisories but no lasting NOTMARs specific to this wreck.

Significance

  • The Ira H. Owen exemplifies the first generation of steel-hulled freighters—a shift from wooden sailing craft.
  • Her loss during the powerful 1905 Mataafa Storm underscores the dangers even advanced vessels faced.
  • One of only a few deep-water, massive-loss wrecks from this storm, her resting place remains a poignant reminder of Great Lakes maritime heritage (en.wikipedia.org).

SS Ira H. Owen – Mataafa Storm Story (animated dive documentary)

ira-h-owen-us-100410 1905-11-28 13:09:00